Submarine wreck indicator and communicating device



Sept. 2, 1930. R. A TAYLOR 1,774,575

SUBXARINE WHEGK INDICATOR AND COMMUNICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sneet l Sept. 2, 1930. .R. A. TAYLOR 1,774,575

SUBMARINE WRECK INDICATOR AND COMMUNICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 5', 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z 32 3555 Z1 Z5 .fluTglar Patented Sept. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND A. TAYLOR, OF FREDERICK, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO AN- DREW S, HEREING, OF FREDERICK, MARYLAND SUBMARINE WRECK INDICATOR AND COMMUNICATING DEVICE Application filed January 5, 1929.

This invention relates to a submarine wreck indicator, and more particularly to a submarine wreck indicator of a construction. to provide means whereby communication may be established with the occupants of the sub marine, from a point exteriorly of the submarine.

Another object of the invention is to provide device of this character including an electric lamp or signal to be automatically lighted indicating to persons in search of the sunken submarine, the exact location of the wrecked vessel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide. means for securing the Wreck indicater to the deck of a submarine in such a way that it may be readily released by the occupants of the submarine, the indicator being constructed so that it will rise to the surface of the water Where it will be clearly visible.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description procoeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that ehanges'in' through a submarine and wreck indicator secured thereto.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on line 83 of Figure 2.

Figure 4; is a sectional view taken on line 1 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the body portion of the wreck indicator.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the submarine which is equipped with a wreck indicating device constructed in accordance with the present invention, is indicated by the reference character 5.

The reference character 6 designates eyes that extend upwardly from the deck of the submarine, and through which the sliding Serial No. 330,658.

bolts 7 extend, the sliding bolts having pivotal connection at 8, with the bar 9 that in turn is moved by means of the post 10 to which the handle 11 is secured. These bolts 7 define a securing device for securing the body portion 12 of the wreck indicator, which bodyportion is preferably circular in formation and provided with an inner compartmeat 13 and an outer air compartment 14. Extending downwardly from the body portion 12, are eyes 15 that define keepers to re ceive the free ends of the bolts 7 as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings to hold the body portion 12 against movement on the deck of the submarine.

Arranged in the compartment 13 is a partition 16 thatdivides the compartment 13 into a lower reel housing 17 and an upper telephone housing 18 the reel housing 17 being provided with hearings to accommodate the shaft 19 which supports the reel 20. This shaft 19 is hollow so that one end of the tubing 21 may be extended the'rethrough the tubing being wound on the reel as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings.

Supported within the reel housing is a pulley 22 over which the cable 21 passes, from where it passes through the tube 23 which in turn extends through an opening in the bottom of the body portion 12, the lower end thereof resting in the recessed member 24 positioned directly over the opening in the submarine deck, through which the cable passes to insure a water-tight connection.

Telephone wires 25 are housed by the cable 21 and have their upper ends exposed as shown in Figure 2, so that terminals 26 of the telephone wires 27 may be hooked onto the wires 25, establishing communication between the occupants of the submarine and a person using the telephone 28 which is supported within the telephone compartment. The opposite ends of the wires 25 are connected with the telephone 29 located within the submarine.

Secured to the shaft 19 is an arm 80 to which the upstanding pin 31 is secured, which pin is adapted to engage the switch member 32 to operate the switch member and complete a circuit to the signal lamp 33. This signal lamp 33 is supported in a socket secured to the box-like cover 34 that screws into an opening formed in the upper surface of the body portion 12, there being provided a dome-shaped cover of translucent material for housing the upper portion of the lamp 33, the cover being indicated by the reference character 36.

Batteries 35 are supported within the cover 34 and are in circuit with the lamp 33 and switch member 82 so that the cover and the batteries as well as the lamp may be removed should it be desired to replace the batteries or lamp or when it is desired to gain access to the telephone to communicate with the occupants of the submarine.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that should a submarine sink, the occupants of the submarine may operate the handle 11 and slide the bolts 7 to disengage the eyes or keepers 15, releasing the indicator or body portion 12, so that the body portion 12 may ascend to the surface of the water.

As the body portion ascends, the cable and wires housed thereby will unwind allowing the body portion to ascend gradually.

lVith the first movement of the pulley the pin 31 will engage the switch 32 operating the switch and causing the switch to complete the circuit to the lamp 83, lighting the lamp and providing a signal to attract the attention of persons moving near the submarine.

Should it be desired to communicate with the occupants of the submarine, the cover 34 may be removed whereby access to the telephone contained in the telephone compartment may be had.

I claim:

A wreck indicator for sunken vessels, including a body portion releasably mounted on a vessel and having an outer air chamber and an inner chamber, a partition for dividing the inner chamber into an upper switch compartn'ient and a lower reel compartment, said switch compartn'ient having a threaded opening, a. hollow cover having threads to be fitted in the threaded opening to removably mount the cover, batteries positioned in the cover, a lamp to be lighted by the electric energy from the batteries, a reel in the reel compartment, a switch in the switch compartment for completing the circuit to the lamp. means controlled by the action of the reel for actuating the switch, and'a flexable member wound on the reel and connected to the body portion.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aitixed my signature.

RAYMOND A. TAYLOR. 

